This workshop looks at mainstreaming the disability perspective and the future of accessibility. For society to be truly inclusive of persons with disabilities, steps must be taken in law, policy and practice to ensure that the disability perspective is mainstreamed. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of relevant strategies for sustainable development.

This workshop looks to efforts around the world regarding the future of accessibility: It begins with an update on activities concerning the UNCRPD and initiatives seeking to close the gaps in mainstreaming. For example, what are the gaps in Internet governance? How do we maintain accessibility to information and services when technology and mobile devices are converging to an IP platform? In North America, what gaps in Internet accessibility are being addressed by the new U.S. legislation, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act? What is the perspective of a South American on web accessibility laws? Looking to India, what are the challenges for persons with mental disabilities with respect to the Internet? From a global perspective, how does cloud computing play a role in this strategy for accessibility? Relay Services for Persons with hearing and speech difficulties have a place in sustainable development and but what will that look like on the Internet? Accessible Relay services and Broadcasting ( including IPTV) over the internet are being studied in the new ITU Focus Group on Audiovisual Media Accessibility, led by ITU-T, ITU-R and EBU. Finally, what are the UN organizations doing to address the future of accessibility and the disability perspective?